Northbrook banker keeps downtown smiling

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The ever-smiling Maureen Desire is an assistant branch manager at the Cherry Lane Chase Bank. | Tamara Bell~Sun Times Media

Updated: March 3, 2012 8:41AM

The Cherry Lane corner inside downtown Northbrook’s shopping center features Chase Bank corporate blue — but Maureen Désiré’s sunny yellow disposition is a neighborly mainstay.

As Northbrook customers stop in at Chase ATMs before grabbing a Starbucks morning cup of coffee, or lunch at neighboring Marcello’s restaurant, Désiré’s face is often visible through storefront glass.

She likes greeting customers firsthand, not spending her workday behind a desk.

“I am the assistant branch manager for Chase, which means I handle the operations side,” said Désiré.

“I make sure we are in compliance with all policy and procedures (regulations) and that we are focusing on and improving our customer service.”

Désiré is a Chicagoland neighbor.

“I was raised in the Jefferson Park neighborhood in Chicago and attended Lincoln Park High School,” said Désiré, who currently resides in the Norwood Park/Edison Park area.

“Working here has been a wonderful experience,” said Désiré.

“When I found out I was transferring to this area, I thought, ‘Oh no, am I going to fit in there?’ But, I shouldn’t have worried, I have felt so welcome by the Northbrook community.

“I have met amazing people that are so kind and down to earth,” Désiré said. “I have been very lucky.”

Adds Désiré: “Northbrook is a solid, stable town and that’s very important when it comes to running a business.

“People and businesses here have roots; they are committed to the community,” she said.

“To be successful, we need to mirror that commitment; we need to be trustworthy, friendly and competent.”

Désiré’s parents are Patricia and Jean Monet Désiré. She has an older sister, Danielle, and a niece, Nissa, 13. She enjoys reading and watching movies, “but I love karaoke! You can’t keep me away from the mic!

“I am a huge fan of Adele, Maroon 5 and India.Arie,” she said. “But I listen to practically everything.”

Building her life today took resourcefulness, honesty and a strong work ethic.

“Early in my career, I was a teller at a branch in Niles and I kept a list of customers who had an interest in new coins and rare bills,” Désiré explained.

“Sometimes we would get these items in the branch, so I would call them immediately.

“It may not sound like much, but these little things mean a lot to our customers and it was my pleasure to make them happy.”

Désiré is proud of her professional but heartfelt connection to customers.

“A while ago a regular customer of mine didn’t come in for a couple of weeks, and I got worried,” said Désiré.

“She had suffered a serious illness and could no longer drive.”

So Désiré reached out to someone in need.

“One day after work, I made sure that she was able to get some basic errands done,” said Désiré.

“Almost every Chase employee has stories like mine.

“Our customers really are our neighbors — we see them at the grocery store, at church, at the PTA meeting,” said Désiré.

“At Chase, we’re focused on customer service and really want to do what’s right for our customers.”

Désiré also volunteers in special ways.

“Every now and then I do little things,” said Désiré.

“Some friends and I will get together and put together a ton of box lunches, get together all of the clothes we want to donate, buy a few cases of water and drive down to lower Wacker Drive to hand it out to the homeless that live there.”

For Northbrook neighbors, Désiré helps promote life skills like financial basics — important especially today.

“Don’t spend more than you make,” urges Désiré. “Pay attention to your money.

“You don’t have to be a financial wizard, but you do have to pay attention to what you are taking in and what you are paying out.

“We have a lot of tools to help an individual track and manage their money, but we can’t do it alone.”

February is here but the New Year is fresh with resolutions.

“My resolution is to do all the things that I say I’m going to do year after year,” said Désiré, who loves reading author Laurell K. Hamilton.

Her favorite book is Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon.

“I made a list that includes learning to ride a motorcycle and going to Italy.

“I want to be even better at my job than last year.

“I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true”

Maureen Désiré can be reached at (847) 205-5618. Email maureen.Désiré@jpmchase.com.